Killing of Ashli Babbitt: Difference between revisions

Ashli Babbitt
Ashli Babbitt
Born	1985
Died	January 6, 2021 (aged 35); Washington D.C
Cause of death	Gunshot wound
Nationality	American
Occupation(s)	Business owner, United States Air Force
Known for	Being killed during the 2021 storming of the United States Capitol
Political party	Republican

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Ashli Elizabeth Babbitt (1985^[1] – January 6, 2021) was a protester^[2] who was shot dead by Capitol police during the 2021 United States Capitol attack while attempting to climb through a shattered window in a barricaded door.^[3]

Background

Babbitt was a California resident, and a veteran of the United States Air Force who had served fourteen years over four tours. She was also a small business owner in San Diego.

Babbitt was a supporter of Donald Trump.^[4] Posting on Twitter under the handle CommonAshSense prior to her arrival at the Capitol, Babbitt asked the Chief Justice of the United States Supreme Court John Roberts to resign and accused the Vice President of the United States Mike Pence of treason^[5] by retweeting a list by L. Lin Wood.^[6] Babbitt had earlier retweeted a January 4 reference by Wood to Roberts saying "the storm is here".^[7] which was the final composed message.^[8] "The Storm" is a term used by QAnon and Babbitt has been described as a "QAnon Believer".^[9]

In the minutes before she was shot, the crowd had threatened three uniformed officers posted outside the Speaker's Lobby, adjacent to the House chambers.^[10] One member of the mob yelled "Fuck the Blue".^[10] One officer guarding the door told the others "They're ready to roll", and the three officers moved away from the door.^[10] No longer impeded by police, Zachary Jordan Alam (who was standing next to Babbitt) smashed a glass window leading to the Speaker's Lobby;^[11]^[12] he was later indicted on twelve federal counts, including assaulting officers with a dangerous weapon.^[11] A fellow rally attendee who was near Babbitt recalled she had been warned not to proceed through the window: "A number of police and Secret Service were saying 'Get back! Get down! Get out of the way!'; she didn't heed the call..."^[13] Capitol Police officers had been warned that many attackers were carrying concealed weapons, although a subsequent search revealed no weapons in Babbitt's possession.^[14]

Death

During the 2021 United States Capitol attack on January 6, 2021 at 2:44 p.m.,^[15] as lawmakers were being evacuated by Capitol Police, Ashli Elizabeth Babbitt, a 35-year-old unarmed Air Force veteran, attempted to climb through a shattered window in a barricaded door and was shot in the neck/shoulder by Capitol Police lieutenant Michael Byrd (who was standing on the other side), dying from the wound.^[16]^[17]^[18]^[19] Republican Representative Markwayne Mullin said he witnessed the shooting; he felt that Lt. Byrd "didn't have a choice" but to shoot, and that this action "saved people's lives".^[20]^[21] According to Mullin, at the time, law enforcement was trying to "defend two fronts" to the House Chamber from the "mob", and "a lot of members [of Congress] and staff that were in danger at the time".^[20]^[7] Footage leading up to the incident was captured on video that shows Babbitt and other Trump supporters breaking through a set of barricaded doors in a U.S. Capitol building stairwell, where Babbitt (with a flag backpack) is seen intruding through a broken window frame, when a loud shot rings out as Babbitt falls backwards onto the floor.^[22]^[23]

Aftermath

The shooting was recorded on several cameras, and footage was widely circulated.^[24] Babbitt has been called a martyr by some far-right extremists who view her as a freedom fighter.^[25] Babbitt's portrayal as a martyr has been compared to the Nazi glorification of Horst Wessel.^[26]^[27] Former president Donald Trump recorded a video message which was played at a commemoration meeting honoring Ashli Babbitt. "There was no reason Ashli should've lost her life that day. We must all demand justice for Ashli and her family, so on this solemn occasion as we celebrate her life, we renew our call for a fair and nonpartisan investigation into the death of Ashli Babbitt," Donald Trump was shown in the video as saying.^[28]^[29]

Following the routine process for shootings by Capitol Police officers, the D.C. Metropolitan Police Department and the Justice Department investigated Babbitt's death and declined to charge Byrd with shooting her.^[11]^[30]^[31] The Capitol Police additionally said they would not discipline the lieutenant, whose action they deemed "lawful and within Department policy."^[32]

References

^ Figueroa, Teri; Riggins, Alex. "Family says woman fatally shot in U.S. Capitol was Ocean Beach resident". The San Diego Union-Tribune. Retrieved January 7, 2021.
^ "Protester Shot and Killed Inside U.S. Capitol Was From Ocean Beach". Times of San Diego. 7 January 2021. Retrieved 7 January 2021.
^ Italiano, Laura (2021-01-07). "Video shows the moment Ashli Babbitt was fatally shot in Capitol". New York Post. Retrieved 2021-01-07.
^ "Woman shot dead in US Capitol was Air Force veteran, Trump supporter". Straits Times. January 6, 2021.
^ Mordock, Jeff. "Woman killed at Capitol identified as Air Force veteran". Washington Times.
^ Keller, Aaron (January 6, 2021). "Pro-Trump Woman Shot and Killed at U.S. Capitol Retweeted Attorney Lin Wood's 'Must Be Done' List Before She Died". Law & Crime. A Twitter account linked to Babbitt, which was reviewed extensively by Law&Crime Wednesday night, indicates that Babbitt was a staunch QAnon adherent who retweeted dozens of conspiracy-theory-laden missives originally posted by Georgia attorney L. Lin Wood.
^ ^a ^b Beckett, Lois; Ho, Vivian (January 9, 2021). "'She was deep into it': Ashli Babbitt, killed in Capitol riot, was devoted conspiracy theorist". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 2021-01-09.
^ Stevenson, Stefan (January 6, 2021). "Who was Ashli Babbitt? The woman killed at U.S. Capitol was veteran, Trump true believer". Star-Telegram. On Monday she retweeted a message saying "Something big is happening." On Tuesday, in her last composed message before her death, Babbitt said: "Nothing will stop us … they can try and try and try but the storm is here and it is descending upon DC in less than 24 hours … dark to light!"
^ "Ashli Babbitt, Trump Supporter Killed In Capitol Riot, Was QAnon Believer Who Tweeted 'The Storm Is Here'". Inquisitr. January 7, 2021. Ashli Babbitt tweeted "the storm is here" ahead of a violent protest
^ ^a ^b ^c Swaine, Jon; Bennett, Dalton; Lee, Joyce Sohyun; Kelly, Meg (January 8, 2021). "Video shows fatal shooting of Ashli Babbitt in the Capitol". The Washington Post. Retrieved June 17, 2021.
^ ^a ^b ^c Evan Perez, Katelyn Polantz and Paul LeBlanc (February 2, 2021). "Investigators recommend no charges for US Capitol Police officer accused of killing pro-Trump rioter during insurrection, sources say". CNN.
^ Don Parker (March 11, 2021). "DC-area man indicted. He was standing next to Ashli Babbitt when she was shot in Capitol". WJLA-TV.
^ "'It could have been me but she went in first' Pro-Trump rioter saw woman shot in Capitol". WUSA9. Retrieved April 25, 2021 – via YouTube.
^ Tan, Rebecca; Jamison, Peter; Leonnig, Carol D.; Flynn, Meagan; Cox, John Woodrow (January 6, 2021). "Trump supporters storm U.S. Capitol, with one woman killed and tear gas fired". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on January 6, 2021. Retrieved January 6, 2021.
^ Mascaro, Lisa; Fox, Ben; Baldor, Lolita C. (2021-04-10). "'Clear the Capitol', Pence pleaded, timeline of riot shows". AP NEWS. Retrieved 2021-04-10.
^ Swaine, Jon; Bennett, Dalton; Sohyun Lee, Joyce; Kelly, Meg (January 8, 2021). "Video shows fatal shooting of Ashli Babbitt in the Capitol". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on January 8, 2021. Retrieved January 8, 2021.
^ Wagner, Dennis; Daniels, Melissa; Hauck, Grace (January 7, 2021). "California woman killed during Capitol riot was a military veteran and staunch Trump supporter". USA Today. Archived from the original on January 15, 2021. Retrieved January 24, 2021. Babbitt served in the Air Force under the married name of Ashli Elizabeth McEntee ... she had been a staunch Trump supporter
^ "Capitol riots: A visual guide to the storming of Congress". BBC news. January 7, 2021. Archived from the original on January 7, 2021. Retrieved January 8, 2021.
^ Goldman, Adam; Dewan, Shaila (January 23, 2021). "Inside the Deadly Capitol Shooting". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved March 17, 2021.
^ ^a ^b Cathey, Libby; Thorbecke, Catherine; Winsor, Morgan; Sanchez, Rosa (January 7, 2021). "Congressman recalls moment woman was shot inside Capitol building". ABC News. Archived from the original on January 7, 2021. Retrieved June 17, 2021.
^ Melendez, Pilar; Bredderman, William; Montgomery, Blake (January 8, 2021). "'Didn't Have a Choice': Vet Was Climbing Through Broken Window When She Was Shot Dead". The Daily Beast. Retrieved June 17, 2021.
^ Italiano, Laura (January 7, 2021). "Video shows the moment Ashli Babbitt was fatally shot in Capitol". New York Post. Retrieved January 7, 2021.
^ "Video shows moment woman was shot in U.S. Capitol riot - YouTube". www.youtube.com. Retrieved January 7, 2021.
^ Wagner, Dennis; Daniels, Melissa; Hauck, Grace (January 7, 2021). "California woman killed during Capitol riot was a military veteran and staunch Trump supporter". USA Today. Archived from the original on January 15, 2021. Retrieved January 24, 2021. Babbitt served in the Air Force under the married name of Ashli Elizabeth McEntee ... she had been a staunch Trump supporter
^ Goldman, Adam; Dewan, Shaila (January 23, 2021). "Inside the Deadly Capitol Shooting". The New York Times. Archived from the original on January 23, 2021. Retrieved January 23, 2021. Since Ms. Babbitt's death, far-right extremists and white supremacists have claimed her as a martyr and a "freedom fighter", even reproducing her image on flags and with anti-Semitic imagery. Many have demanded the release of the name of the officer who shot her.
^ Burns, Max (July 12, 2021). "Trump makes Ashli Babbitt, killed in the Capitol riot, into a martyr. Why that's so dangerous". NBC News. Retrieved August 2, 2021.
^ Frum, David (July 13, 2021). "There's a Word for What Trumpism Is Becoming". The Atlantic. Retrieved August 2, 2021.
^ Benen, Steve. "Trump's rhetoric about Ashli Babbitt takes an unsettling turn". MSNBC.com. Retrieved 11 November 2021.
^ Cooper, Anderson. "Trump makes video honoring fatally shot Capitol rioter Ashli Babbitt - CNN Video". Retrieved 11 November 2021.
^ Aruna Viswanatha, Sadie Gurman & Tawnell D. Hobbs (February 1, 2021). "Officer Who Shot Capitol Rioter Ashli Babbitt Shouldn't Be Charged, Investigators Advise". The Wall Street Journal.
^ Klasfeld, Adam (April 14, 2021). "Case Closed: Unidentified Police Officer Who Shot and Killed Ashli Babbitt on Jan. 6 Won't Be Charged". Retrieved October 22, 2021.
^ Wild, Whitney; Duster, Chandelis (23 August 2021). "US Capitol Police says shooting of January 6 rioter Ashli Babbitt was 'lawful'". CNN. Retrieved 2021-08-23.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)

[1] Figueroa, Teri; Riggins, Alex. "Family says woman fatally shot in U.S. Capitol was Ocean Beach resident". The San Diego Union-Tribune. Retrieved January 7, 2021.

[2] "Protester Shot and Killed Inside U.S. Capitol Was From Ocean Beach". Times of San Diego. 7 January 2021. Retrieved 7 January 2021.

[3] Italiano, Laura (2021-01-07). "Video shows the moment Ashli Babbitt was fatally shot in Capitol". New York Post. Retrieved 2021-01-07.

[4] "Woman shot dead in US Capitol was Air Force veteran, Trump supporter". Straits Times. January 6, 2021.

[5] Mordock, Jeff. "Woman killed at Capitol identified as Air Force veteran". Washington Times.

[6] Keller, Aaron (January 6, 2021). "Pro-Trump Woman Shot and Killed at U.S. Capitol Retweeted Attorney Lin Wood's 'Must Be Done' List Before She Died". Law & Crime. A Twitter account linked to Babbitt, which was reviewed extensively by Law&Crime Wednesday night, indicates that Babbitt was a staunch QAnon adherent who retweeted dozens of conspiracy-theory-laden missives originally posted by Georgia attorney L. Lin Wood.

[Lois-7] Beckett, Lois; Ho, Vivian (January 9, 2021). "'She was deep into it': Ashli Babbitt, killed in Capitol riot, was devoted conspiracy theorist". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 2021-01-09.

[Stevenson-8] Stevenson, Stefan (January 6, 2021). "Who was Ashli Babbitt? The woman killed at U.S. Capitol was veteran, Trump true believer". Star-Telegram. On Monday she retweeted a message saying "Something big is happening." On Tuesday, in her last composed message before her death, Babbitt said: "Nothing will stop us … they can try and try and try but the storm is here and it is descending upon DC in less than 24 hours … dark to light!"

[Francis-9] "Ashli Babbitt, Trump Supporter Killed In Capitol Riot, Was QAnon Believer Who Tweeted 'The Storm Is Here'". Inquisitr. January 7, 2021. Ashli Babbitt tweeted "the storm is here" ahead of a violent protest

[wapojan8-10] Swaine, Jon; Bennett, Dalton; Lee, Joyce Sohyun; Kelly, Meg (January 8, 2021). "Video shows fatal shooting of Ashli Babbitt in the Capitol". The Washington Post. Retrieved June 17, 2021.

[Recommend-11] Evan Perez, Katelyn Polantz and Paul LeBlanc (February 2, 2021). "Investigators recommend no charges for US Capitol Police officer accused of killing pro-Trump rioter during insurrection, sources say". CNN.

[Parker-12] Don Parker (March 11, 2021). "DC-area man indicted. He was standing next to Ashli Babbitt when she was shot in Capitol". WJLA-TV.

[13] "'It could have been me but she went in first' Pro-Trump rioter saw woman shot in Capitol". WUSA9. Retrieved April 25, 2021 – via YouTube.

[wapojan6-14] Tan, Rebecca; Jamison, Peter; Leonnig, Carol D.; Flynn, Meagan; Cox, John Woodrow (January 6, 2021). "Trump supporters storm U.S. Capitol, with one woman killed and tear gas fired". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on January 6, 2021. Retrieved January 6, 2021.

[:0-15] Mascaro, Lisa; Fox, Ben; Baldor, Lolita C. (2021-04-10). "'Clear the Capitol', Pence pleaded, timeline of riot shows". AP NEWS. Retrieved 2021-04-10.

[VideoShows-16] Swaine, Jon; Bennett, Dalton; Sohyun Lee, Joyce; Kelly, Meg (January 8, 2021). "Video shows fatal shooting of Ashli Babbitt in the Capitol". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on January 8, 2021. Retrieved January 8, 2021.

[17] Wagner, Dennis; Daniels, Melissa; Hauck, Grace (January 7, 2021). "California woman killed during Capitol riot was a military veteran and staunch Trump supporter". USA Today. Archived from the original on January 15, 2021. Retrieved January 24, 2021. Babbitt served in the Air Force under the married name of Ashli Elizabeth McEntee ... she had been a staunch Trump supporter

[:10-18] "Capitol riots: A visual guide to the storming of Congress". BBC news. January 7, 2021. Archived from the original on January 7, 2021. Retrieved January 8, 2021.

[19] Goldman, Adam; Dewan, Shaila (January 23, 2021). "Inside the Deadly Capitol Shooting". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved March 17, 2021.

[Mullin-20] Cathey, Libby; Thorbecke, Catherine; Winsor, Morgan; Sanchez, Rosa (January 7, 2021). "Congressman recalls moment woman was shot inside Capitol building". ABC News. Archived from the original on January 7, 2021. Retrieved June 17, 2021.

[21] Melendez, Pilar; Bredderman, William; Montgomery, Blake (January 8, 2021). "'Didn't Have a Choice': Vet Was Climbing Through Broken Window When She Was Shot Dead". The Daily Beast. Retrieved June 17, 2021.

[22] Italiano, Laura (January 7, 2021). "Video shows the moment Ashli Babbitt was fatally shot in Capitol". New York Post. Retrieved January 7, 2021.

[23] "Video shows moment woman was shot in U.S. Capitol riot - YouTube". www.youtube.com. Retrieved January 7, 2021.

[24] Wagner, Dennis; Daniels, Melissa; Hauck, Grace (January 7, 2021). "California woman killed during Capitol riot was a military veteran and staunch Trump supporter". USA Today. Archived from the original on January 15, 2021. Retrieved January 24, 2021. Babbitt served in the Air Force under the married name of Ashli Elizabeth McEntee ... she had been a staunch Trump supporter

[4YIFL-25] Goldman, Adam; Dewan, Shaila (January 23, 2021). "Inside the Deadly Capitol Shooting". The New York Times. Archived from the original on January 23, 2021. Retrieved January 23, 2021. Since Ms. Babbitt's death, far-right extremists and white supremacists have claimed her as a martyr and a "freedom fighter", even reproducing her image on flags and with anti-Semitic imagery. Many have demanded the release of the name of the officer who shot her.

[horst-26] Burns, Max (July 12, 2021). "Trump makes Ashli Babbitt, killed in the Capitol riot, into a martyr. Why that's so dangerous". NBC News. Retrieved August 2, 2021.

[fa_c_sm-27] Frum, David (July 13, 2021). "There's a Word for What Trumpism Is Becoming". The Atlantic. Retrieved August 2, 2021.

[28] Benen, Steve. "Trump's rhetoric about Ashli Babbitt takes an unsettling turn". MSNBC.com. Retrieved 11 November 2021.

[29] Cooper, Anderson. "Trump makes video honoring fatally shot Capitol rioter Ashli Babbitt - CNN Video". Retrieved 11 November 2021.

[30] Aruna Viswanatha, Sadie Gurman & Tawnell D. Hobbs (February 1, 2021). "Officer Who Shot Capitol Rioter Ashli Babbitt Shouldn't Be Charged, Investigators Advise". The Wall Street Journal.

[31] Klasfeld, Adam (April 14, 2021). "Case Closed: Unidentified Police Officer Who Shot and Killed Ashli Babbitt on Jan. 6 Won't Be Charged". Retrieved October 22, 2021.

[32] Wild, Whitney; Duster, Chandelis (23 August 2021). "US Capitol Police says shooting of January 6 rioter Ashli Babbitt was 'lawful'". CNN. Retrieved 2021-08-23.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)

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@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
+{{Infobox person
-#REDIRECT [[Law enforcement response to the 2021 United States Capitol attack#Shooting of Ashli Babbitt]]
+| name               = Ashli Babbitt
+| birth_date         = 1985
-{{Redirect category shell|
+| birth_place        =
-{{R to section}}
+| death_date         = {{death date and given age|2021|1|6|35}}
+| death_place        = [[Washington D.C]]
+| death_cause        = Gunshot wound
+| nationality        = American
+| occupation         = Business owner, [[United States Air Force]]
+| known_for          = Being killed during the [[2021 storming of the United States Capitol]]
+| party              = [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]]
 }}
+'''Ashli Elizabeth Babbitt''' (1985<ref>{{cite web |last1=Figueroa |first1=Teri |last2=Riggins |first2=Alex |title=Family says woman fatally shot in U.S. Capitol was Ocean Beach resident |url=https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/top-stories/story/2021-01-06/family-says-woman-fatally-shot-in-u-s-capitol-was-ocean-beach-resident |work=[[The San Diego Union-Tribune]] |access-date=January 7, 2021}}</ref> – January 6, 2021) was a protester<ref>{{cite web | url=https://timesofsandiego.com/crime/2021/01/06/protester-shot-and-killed-inside-u-s-capitol-was-from-ocean-beach/ | title=Protester Shot and Killed Inside U.S. Capitol Was From Ocean Beach | publisher=Times of San Diego | date=7 January 2021 | accessdate=7 January 2021}}</ref> who was shot dead by [[Capitol police]] during the [[2021 United States Capitol attack]] while attempting to climb through a shattered window in a barricaded door.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Italiano|first=Laura|date=2021-01-07|title=Video shows the moment Ashli Babbitt was fatally shot in Capitol|url=https://nypost.com/2021/01/06/video-shows-moment-ashli-babbit-was-fatally-shot-in-capitol/|access-date=2021-01-07|website=New York Post|language=en-US}}</ref>
-{{DEFAULTSORT:Babbitt, Shooting of Ashli}}
+==Background==
+Babbitt was a [[California]] resident, and a veteran of the [[United States Air Force]] who had served fourteen years over four tours. She was also a small business owner in San Diego.
+Babbitt was a supporter of [[Donald Trump]].<ref>{{cite news|date=January 6, 2021|title=Woman shot dead in US Capitol was Air Force veteran, Trump supporter|work=[[Straits Times]]|url=https://www.straitstimes.com/world/united-states/woman-shot-dead-in-us-capitol-was-air-force-veteran-trump-supporter-reports}}</ref> Posting on [[Twitter]] under the handle CommonAshSense prior to her arrival at the Capitol, Babbitt asked the [[Chief Justice of the United States Supreme Court]] [[John Roberts]] to resign and accused the [[Vice President of the United States]]  [[Mike Pence]] of treason<ref>{{cite news |work=[[Washington Times]] |url=https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2021/jan/6/ashli-babbit-identified-air-force-vet-killed-capit/ |title=Woman killed at Capitol identified as Air Force veteran |first=Jeff |last=Mordock}}</ref> by retweeting a list by [[L. Lin Wood]].<ref>{{cite news |work=[[Law & Crime]] |url=https://lawandcrime.com/2020-election/pro-trump-woman-shot-and-killed-at-u-s-capitol-retweeted-attorney-lin-woods-must-be-done-list-before-she-died/ |title=Pro-Trump Woman Shot and Killed at U.S. Capitol Retweeted Attorney Lin Wood’s ‘Must Be Done’ List Before She Died |first=Aaron |last=Keller |date=January 6, 2021 |quote=A Twitter account linked to Babbitt, which was reviewed extensively by Law&Crime Wednesday night, indicates that Babbitt was a staunch QAnon adherent who retweeted dozens of conspiracy-theory-laden missives originally posted by Georgia attorney L. Lin Wood.}}</ref> Babbitt had earlier retweeted a January 4 reference by Wood to Roberts saying "the storm is here".<ref name=Lois>{{Cite news|last1=Beckett|first1=Lois|last2=Ho|first2=Vivian|url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/jan/09/ashli-babbitt-capitol-mob-trump-qanon-conspiracy-theory |url-status=live|title='She was deep into it': Ashli Babbitt, killed in Capitol riot, was devoted conspiracy theorist|date=January 9, 2021|website=[[The Guardian]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210109110350/https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/jan/09/ashli-babbitt-capitol-mob-trump-qanon-conspiracy-theory|archive-date=2021-01-09}}</ref> which was the final composed message.<ref name=Stevenson>{{cite news |work=[[Star-Telegram]] |url=https://www.star-telegram.com/news/politics-government/national-politics/article248332345.html |title=Who was Ashli Babbitt? The woman killed at U.S. Capitol was veteran, Trump true believer |first=Stefan |last=Stevenson |date=January 6, 2021 |quote=On Monday she retweeted a message saying “Something big is happening.” On Tuesday, in her last composed message before her death, Babbitt said: “Nothing will stop us … they can try and try and try but the storm is here and it is descending upon DC in less than 24 hours … dark to light!”}}</ref> "The Storm" is a term used by [[QAnon]] and Babbitt has been described as a "QAnon Believer".<ref name=Francis>{{cite news |work=[[Inquisitr]] |url=https://www.inquisitr.com/6439929/ashli-babbitt/ |title=Ashli Babbitt, Trump Supporter Killed In Capitol Riot, Was QAnon Believer Who Tweeted ‘The Storm Is Here’ |date=January 7, 2021 |quote=Ashli Babbitt tweeted “the storm is here” ahead of a violent protest}}</ref>
+In the minutes before she was shot, the crowd had threatened three uniformed officers posted outside the Speaker's Lobby, adjacent to the House chambers.<ref name="wapojan8">{{Cite news|title=Video shows fatal shooting of Ashli Babbitt in the Capitol|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/investigations/2021/01/08/ashli-babbitt-shooting-video-capitol/|first1=Jon|last1=Swaine|first2=Dalton|last2=Bennett|first3=Joyce Sohyun|last3=Lee|first4=Meg|last4=Kelly|date=January 8, 2021|work=The Washington Post|access-date=June 17, 2021}}</ref> One member of the mob yelled "Fuck the Blue".<ref name="wapojan8" /> One officer guarding the door told the others "They're ready to roll", and the three officers moved away from the door.<ref name="wapojan8"/> No longer impeded by police, Zachary Jordan Alam (who was standing next to Babbitt) smashed a glass window leading to the Speaker's Lobby;<ref name="Recommend">{{Cite news|author=Evan Perez, Katelyn Polantz and Paul LeBlanc|title=Investigators recommend no charges for US Capitol Police officer accused of killing pro-Trump rioter during insurrection, sources say|url=https://www.cnn.com/2021/02/01/politics/us-capitol-police-shooting-insurrection/index.html|publisher=CNN|date=February 2, 2021}}</ref><ref name="Parker">{{Cite news|author=Don Parker|url=https://wjla.com/news/local/dc-area-man-indicted-he-was-standing-next-to-ashli-babbitt-when-she-was-shot-in-capitol|title=DC-area man indicted. He was standing next to Ashli Babbitt when she was shot in Capitol.|publisher=WJLA-TV|date=March 11, 2021}}</ref> he was later indicted on twelve federal counts, including assaulting officers with a dangerous weapon.<ref name="Recommend" /> A fellow rally attendee who was near Babbitt recalled she had been warned not to proceed through the window: "A number of police and Secret Service were saying 'Get back! Get down! Get out of the way!'; she didn't heed the call..."<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eCuIxBzylyo |work=WUSA9 |title='It could have been me but she went in first' Pro-Trump rioter saw woman shot in Capitol |via=[[YouTube]] |access-date=April 25, 2021 }}</ref> Capitol Police officers had been warned that many attackers were carrying concealed weapons, although a subsequent search revealed no weapons in Babbitt's possession.<ref name="wapojan6">{{Cite web|date=January 6, 2021|title=Trump supporters storm U.S. Capitol, with one woman killed and tear gas fired|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/trump-supporters-storm-capitol-dc/2021/01/06/58afc0b8-504b-11eb-83e3-322644d82356_story.html |first1=Rebecca |last1=Tan |first2=Peter |last2=Jamison |first3=Carol D. |last3=Leonnig |first4=Meagan |last4=Flynn |first5=John Woodrow |last5=Cox |url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210106232624/https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/trump-supporters-storm-capitol-dc/2021/01/06/58afc0b8-504b-11eb-83e3-322644d82356_story.html|archive-date=January 6, 2021|access-date=January 6, 2021|website=[[The Washington Post]]}}</ref>
+==Death==
+During the [[2021 United States Capitol attack]] on January 6, 2021 at 2:44{{nbsp}}p.m.,<ref name=":0">{{cite web|date=2021-04-10|title='Clear the Capitol', Pence pleaded, timeline of riot shows|url=https://apnews.com/article/capitol-siege-army-racial-injustice-riots-only-on-ap-480e95d9d075a0a946e837c3156cdcb9 |first1=Lisa |last1=Mascaro |first2=Ben |last2=Fox |first3=Lolita C. |last3=Baldor |access-date=2021-04-10|website=AP NEWS }}</ref> as lawmakers were being evacuated by Capitol Police, Ashli Elizabeth Babbitt, a 35-year-old unarmed Air Force veteran, attempted to climb through a shattered window in a barricaded door and was shot in the neck/shoulder by Capitol Police lieutenant Michael Byrd (who was standing on the other side), dying from the wound.<ref name="VideoShows">{{Cite news|last1=Swaine|first1=Jon|last2=Bennett|first2=Dalton|last3=Sohyun Lee|first3=Joyce|last4=Kelly|first4=Meg|date=January 8, 2021|title=Video shows fatal shooting of Ashli Babbitt in the Capitol|work=The Washington Post|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/investigations/2021/01/08/ashli-babbitt-shooting-video-capitol/|url-status=live|access-date=January 8, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210108180214/https://www.washingtonpost.com/investigations/2021/01/08/ashli-babbitt-shooting-video-capitol/|archive-date=January 8, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last1=Wagner|first1=Dennis|last2=Daniels|first2=Melissa|last3=Hauck|first3=Grace|date=January 7, 2021|title=California woman killed during Capitol riot was a military veteran and staunch Trump supporter|work=[[USA Today]]|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2021/01/07/dc-riots-ashli-babbitt-killed-capitol-attack-military-veteran/6577488002/|url-status=live|access-date=January 24, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210115173623/https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2021/01/07/dc-riots-ashli-babbitt-killed-capitol-attack-military-veteran/6577488002/|archive-date=January 15, 2021|quote=Babbitt served in the Air Force under the married name of Ashli Elizabeth McEntee{{nbs}}... she had been a staunch Trump supporter}}</ref><ref name=":10">{{Cite news|date=January 7, 2021|title=Capitol riots: A visual guide to the storming of Congress|work=BBC news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-55575260|url-status=live|access-date=January 8, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210107194221/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-55575260|archive-date=January 7, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last1=Goldman|first1=Adam|last2=Dewan|first2=Shaila|date=January 23, 2021|title=Inside the Deadly Capitol Shooting|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/23/us/capitol-police-shooting-ashli-babbitt.html|access-date=March 17, 2021|issn=0362-4331}}</ref>
+Republican Representative [[Markwayne Mullin]] said he witnessed the shooting; he felt that Lt. Byrd "didn't have a choice" but to shoot, and that this action "saved people's lives".<ref name=Mullin>{{cite news |last1=Cathey |first1=Libby |last2=Thorbecke |first2=Catherine |last3=Winsor |first3=Morgan |last4=Sanchez |first4=Rosa |title=Congressman recalls moment woman was shot inside Capitol building |url=https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/live-updates/2020-election-results-transition/?id=75022086#75108231 |access-date=June 17, 2021 |work=[[ABC News]] |date=January 7, 2021 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20210107210406/https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/live-updates/2020-election-results-transition/?id=75022086%2375108231 |archive-date=January 7, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Melendez |first1=Pilar |last2=Bredderman |first2=William |last3=Montgomery |first3=Blake |title='Didn't Have a Choice': Vet Was Climbing Through Broken Window When She Was Shot Dead |url=https://www.thedailybeast.com/one-woman-shot-six-hospitalized-as-trump-loving-mob-swarms-capitol |access-date=June 17, 2021 |work=[[The Daily Beast]] |date=January 8, 2021}}</ref> According to Mullin, at the time, law enforcement was trying to "defend two fronts" to the House Chamber from the "mob", and "a lot of members [of Congress] and staff that were in danger at the time".<ref name=Mullin/><ref name=Lois>{{Cite news|last1=Beckett|first1=Lois|last2=Ho|first2=Vivian|url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/jan/09/ashli-babbitt-capitol-mob-trump-qanon-conspiracy-theory |url-status=live|title='She was deep into it': Ashli Babbitt, killed in Capitol riot, was devoted conspiracy theorist|date=January 9, 2021|website=[[The Guardian]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210109110350/https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/jan/09/ashli-babbitt-capitol-mob-trump-qanon-conspiracy-theory|archive-date=2021-01-09}}</ref> Footage leading up to the incident was captured on video that shows Babbitt and other Trump supporters breaking through a set of barricaded doors in a [[U.S. Capitol building]] stairwell, where Babbitt (with a flag backpack) is seen intruding through a broken window frame, when a loud shot rings out as Babbitt falls backwards onto the floor.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Italiano|first=Laura|date=January 7, 2021|title=Video shows the moment Ashli Babbitt was fatally shot in Capitol|url=https://nypost.com/2021/01/06/video-shows-moment-ashli-babbit-was-fatally-shot-in-capitol/|access-date=January 7, 2021|website=New York Post|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Video shows moment woman was shot in U.S. Capitol riot - YouTube|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AWMpTHLJXbw|access-date=January 7, 2021|website=www.youtube.com}}</ref>
+==Aftermath==
+The shooting was recorded on several cameras, and footage was widely circulated.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Wagner |first1=Dennis |last2=Daniels |first2=Melissa |last3=Hauck |first3=Grace |date=January 7, 2021 |title=California woman killed during Capitol riot was a military veteran and staunch Trump supporter |work=[[USA Today]] |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2021/01/07/dc-riots-ashli-babbitt-killed-capitol-attack-military-veteran/6577488002/ |url-status=live |access-date=January 24, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210115173623/https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2021/01/07/dc-riots-ashli-babbitt-killed-capitol-attack-military-veteran/6577488002/ |archive-date=January 15, 2021 |quote=Babbitt served in the Air Force under the married name of Ashli Elizabeth McEntee{{nbs}}... she had been a staunch Trump supporter}}</ref> Babbitt has been called a [[martyr]] by some far-right extremists who view her as a [[freedom fighter]].<ref name="4YIFL">{{Cite news|last1=Goldman|first1=Adam|last2=Dewan|first2=Shaila|date=January 23, 2021|title=Inside the Deadly Capitol Shooting|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/23/us/capitol-police-shooting-ashli-babbitt.html|url-status=live|access-date=January 23, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210123180006/https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/23/us/capitol-police-shooting-ashli-babbitt.html|archive-date=January 23, 2021|quote=Since Ms. Babbitt's death, far-right extremists and white supremacists have claimed her as a martyr and a "freedom fighter", even reproducing her image on flags and with anti-Semitic imagery. Many have demanded the release of the name of the officer who shot her.}}</ref> Babbitt's portrayal as a martyr has been compared to the Nazi glorification of [[Horst Wessel]].<ref name="horst">{{cite news|last=Burns|first=Max|date=July 12, 2021|title=Trump makes Ashli Babbitt, killed in the Capitol riot, into a martyr. Why that's so dangerous.|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/think/opinion/trump-makes-ashli-babbitt-killed-capitol-riot-martyr-why-s-ncna1273750|access-date=August 2, 2021|website=NBC News}}</ref><ref name="fa_c_sm">{{cite news|last=Frum|first=David|date=July 13, 2021|title=There's a Word for What Trumpism Is Becoming|url=https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2021/07/theres-word-what-trumpism-becoming/619418/|access-date=August 2, 2021|website=The Atlantic}}</ref> Former president [[Donald Trump]] recorded a video message which was played at a commemoration meeting honoring Ashli Babbitt. "There was no reason Ashli should've lost her life that day. We must all demand justice for Ashli and her family, so on this solemn occasion as we celebrate her life, we renew our call for a fair and nonpartisan investigation into the death of Ashli Babbitt," Donald Trump was shown in the video as saying.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Benen |first1=Steve |title=Trump's rhetoric about Ashli Babbitt takes an unsettling turn |url=https://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/trump-s-rhetoric-about-ashli-babbitt-takes-unsettling-turn-n1281318 |access-date=11 November 2021 |work=MSNBC.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Cooper |first1=Anderson |title=Trump makes video honoring fatally shot Capitol rioter Ashli Babbitt - CNN Video |url=https://edition.cnn.com/videos/politics/2021/10/12/trump-video-honors-ashli-babbitt-on-birthday-berman-ac360-vpx.cnn |access-date=11 November 2021}}</ref>
+Following the routine process for shootings by Capitol Police officers, the D.C. Metropolitan Police Department and the Justice Department investigated Babbitt's death and declined to charge Byrd with shooting her.<ref name="Recommend" /><ref>{{Cite news|author=Aruna Viswanatha, Sadie Gurman & Tawnell D. Hobbs|date=February 1, 2021|title=Officer Who Shot Capitol Rioter Ashli Babbitt Shouldn't Be Charged, Investigators Advise|newspaper=The Wall Street Journal|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/officer-who-shot-capitol-rioter-ashli-babbitt-shouldnt-be-charged-investigators-recommend-11612222798}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://lawandcrime.com/u-s-capitol-siege/case-closed-unidentified-police-officer-who-shot-and-killed-ashli-babbitt-on-jan-6-wont-be-charged/ |first=Adam |last=Klasfeld |access-date=October 22, 2021 |title=Case Closed: Unidentified Police Officer Who Shot and Killed Ashli Babbitt on Jan. 6 Won't Be Charged|date=April 14, 2021}}</ref> The Capitol Police additionally said they would not discipline the lieutenant, whose action they deemed "lawful and within Department policy."<ref>{{Cite web|last1=Wild|first1=Whitney|last2=Duster|first2=Chandelis|date=23 August 2021|title=US Capitol Police says shooting of January 6 rioter Ashli Babbitt was 'lawful'|url=https://www.cnn.com/2021/08/23/politics/ashli-babbitt-capitol-police-officer/index.html|url-status=live|access-date=2021-08-23|website=CNN}}</ref>
+==See also==
+* [[Timeline of the 2020 United States presidential election (November 2020–January 2021)]]
+*[[Attempts to overturn the 2020 United States presidential election]]
+== References ==
+{{reflist|30em}}
+{{DEFAULTSORT:Babbitt, Ashli}}
+[[Category:1985 births]]
+[[Category:2021 deaths]]
+[[Category:20th-century American women]]
+[[Category:21st-century American women]]
+[[Category:American political activists]]
+[[Category:American social commentators]]
 [[Category:Deaths by firearm in Washington, D.C.]]
-[[Category:Deaths related to the 2021 United States Capitol attack]]
+[[Category:Female United States Air Force personnel]]
 [[Category:Filmed deaths in the United States]]
+[[Category:Military personnel from California]]
+[[Category:People from California]]
+[[Category:People from San Diego]]
 [[Category:Protest-related deaths]]
+[[Category:California Republicans]]